As a pedestrian, there are times when you do have the right of way. You are allowed to cross the street when you have a WALK signal or when the road is clear. If you use a marked crossing or crosswalk, then vehicles around you should stop or, at the very least, be aware of your presence and adjust their speed accordingly when they have a green light.
When drivers don’t pay attention and cause a collision, a pedestrian can be badly hurt. If you’ve been hit, then you should remember that there are three things to do next.
- Get to the hospital
Even if you don’t think that you’ve been injured, it’s important to go to the hospital. You may have injuries that you don’t yet notice, all thanks to the body’s fight-or-flight response.
- Get witness information
If you’re capable of obtaining witness information at the scene, you can do so. If not, you can ask the police or others who were there to pass that information on to you, so you have it for your records. You should also attempt to get information from the other driver if possible.
- Reach out to your attorney
Finally, reach out to your attorney to start your claim. It’s smart to talk with your attorney before you make any official statements to the police, so that you protect your interests and don’t say anything that could affect liability in the case.
These are three steps you should take any time you suffer an injury as a result of someone else’s actions. Following them can make it easier to make a claim once you’re ready. Our website has more on pedestrian injury cases and what you should do if you’ve been hit by a car.